Vézelay and its surroundings

Vézelay and writers

Mavericks, idealists in search of the absolute, sometimes rebel snipers, that are neither warm nor timid. They all have in common is risen from the ranks to think alone. It has been saidon this hill in Burgundy, that man could raise up to the impossible.

The spirit of the place allows the encounter of faith in God and the faith inherent in the creation itself of thinking that the impossible can happen on condition that they give courage.

Vézelay and the Basilica Sainte-Marie-Madeleine

Vézelay and the eternal hill

The city of Vézelay is situated on a high hill, visible to tens of kilometers. This special geographical situation gave Vézelay in 1793 the name of Vézelay-la-Montagne. Vézelay has always fascinated visitors: 2 hours from Paris and nestled in the heart of Burgundy (Vézelay is 15 km from Avallon and 45 km from Auxerre), the city is full of old stone well, ocher buildings eaten by ivy, stalls … thousands of tourists flock each year in its steep streets.

The Basilica of Vézelay, the Unesco World Heritage
The Basilica and the hill of Vézelay are UNESCO World Heritage of Unesco since 1979. They are among the top five websites registered in France on the list of properties of outstanding universal value. If you come for the first time in Vézelay, you will immediately feel the magnetism of this masterpiece of Romanesque Burgundy. The Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene,monasticchurch of the twelfth century, reveals an architecture, capitals and a carved portal of exceptional beauty.

Every day, new discoveries to be around Vézelay

Pierre-Perthuis (15 mn. from Vézelay)

Pierre-Perthuis is a beautiful small village located halfway between Vezelay or Holy Father and Bazoches. The Cure skirts the village and the new bridge, tourists can admire cons below the old stone bridge. The effect is striking. Near the village, the “Roche breakthrough” is a hole six meters high and eight wide, in a limestone cliff overlooking the Cure. This rock, formerly known as “Petra-Pertuisa” would have given the town its name.

Fountains Salty Saint-Père-sous-Vézelay (20mn from Vézelay)

Historical monument in 1936, the archaeological site of Fountains Salty straddles the town of Foissy-lès-Vézelay and south of the town of Saint-Père. This is the point of emergence of salt springs, which have been exploited for salt baths or the Neolithic to the Middle Ages. We recommend you to visit the Museum which is located near the church of the Holy Father: his entry ticket gives access to Salted Fountains.

Vézelay: a rich cultural life

Enjoy your stay in Vézelay to discover the many cultural sites of Morvan

Contemporary Art Museum Zervos: it houses the most beautiful pieces in the collection bequeathed to the city of Vézelay by Christian Zervos, an eclectic collection of modern art including small sculptures but also a relief impressive cast Henri Laurens, the works by Pablo Picasso and Julio González, the first mural by Fernand Léger.Musical Encounters Vézelay: four days and a dozen concerts traditionally focused on sacred music, in the exceptional setting of the Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene.Bazoches Castle: built in the twelfth century, has a trapezoidal architecture consists of four towers and a keep surrounding an inner courtyard. From the towers, we find the first reliefs of the south Morvan Avallon.Castle of Chastellux: the heart of the Morvan, on a rocky peak overlooking the Cure, visit this castle whose construction dates back to the eleventh century. Walk through the history of France in this site classified as an historic monument.Fontenay Abbey: one of the oldest Cistercian monasteries in Europe; Founded in 1118, the abbey has survived the centuries without the time alters its Romanesque architecture.House Jules Roy’s office Jules Roy is preserved as the writer, who died in 2000, left him. Visitors will find the working atmosphere and memories were born where his last works.

Hiking Around Vézelay

Vézelay and the Morvan are full of hiking trails in addition to the prestigious French way of Vézelay (or via Lemovicensis) to Saint-Jacques de Compostela (923 km - 36 days walking). Hotel Restaurant La Terrasse SY, located in the heart of Vézelay, Burgundy will facilitate your escapades.